Lafayette Mortgage Broker — Lamorinda’s Most Sought-After Address
Lafayette anchors the “Lamorinda” tri-city area (Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda) and is widely regarded as one of the East Bay’s finest residential communities. Its acclaimed school district — Acalanes Union High School District consistently ranks in California’s top tier — a charming downtown with local restaurants and boutiques, and easy BART access to San Francisco combine to create one of the most consistently in-demand suburban markets in the Bay Area. In 2026, Lafayette’s median home price sits in the $1.8M–$2.8M range, with larger lots and premium views pushing $3M–$6M+. DiVita Home Finance has served Lamorinda buyers since 2007.
Lafayette Real Estate: 2026 Market Overview
Lafayette’s housing is predominantly single-family, with a mix of ranch-style homes, Craftsman updates, and newer construction on the hills. The downtown-adjacent flatlands offer entry points at $1.5M–$2.2M. Happy Valley Road and hillside areas command $2.5M–$5M+ for larger lots with views. The most sought-after properties are those within the Acalanes school boundary with easy access to downtown and BART. Lafayette sees relatively low inventory and consistently competitive offer situations for well-priced listings.
- Downtown-adjacent SFH: $1.5M–$2.5M — Jumbo
- Hillside / view properties: $2M–$4M — Jumbo, portfolio programs
- Happy Valley / estate parcels: $3M–$6M+ — Super jumbo, private banking
Mortgage Options for Lafayette Buyers
Jumbo Purchase Loans: Virtually all Lafayette transactions require jumbo financing. Our Bay Area portfolio lender relationships provide competitive pricing specifically for Lamorinda buyers — lenders who understand the school district premium and the market’s consistent appreciation trajectory.
10% Down Jumbo: Buyers who want to preserve liquidity can access 10% down jumbo programs with strong credit (740+) and reserves. We run multiple lender scenarios to find the best combination of rate, down payment, and term for your situation.
Super Jumbo / Private Banking: Happy Valley Road and larger estate parcels above $3M require super jumbo or private banking programs. We have relationships with private lenders who evaluate Lamorinda buyers holistically — assets, long-term income, and credit profile.
Self-Employed / Business Owner Programs: Lafayette attracts a high concentration of business owners, partners, and consultants. Our bank statement and P&L programs calculate qualifying income from actual financial performance rather than tax return income, which often understates self-employed buyer capacity due to business deductions.
Acalanes School District Premium Financing: The Acalanes school district commands a documented price premium in Lafayette. We ensure appraisers capture this premium accurately using district-specific comparable sales — important for jumbo appraisals where every dollar of value matters.
Frequently Asked Questions — Lafayette Mortgage
Why is the Acalanes school district so important to Lafayette home values?
Acalanes Union High School District’s four high schools consistently rank in California’s top tier for academic performance and college admissions outcomes. Buyers with school-age children specifically target Acalanes-district addresses, and appraisers who know Lafayette document the district boundary premium in their comparable selection.
What’s the typical down payment for a Lafayette jumbo purchase?
Most buyers put 20% down to avoid PMI and access the best pricing. On a $2M purchase, that’s $400K down with a $1.6M loan. We also have 10% down jumbo programs for buyers who want to preserve capital, and 25–30% down options that unlock more aggressive pricing at higher loan amounts.
Can I get pre-underwritten approval before making a Lafayette offer?
Yes, and we strongly recommend it. Lafayette’s market — particularly in the $1.7M–$2.5M range — regularly generates multiple offers on well-priced listings. A pre-underwritten approval carries significantly more weight with listing agents than a standard prequalification letter.
I’m a business owner and my Schedule C shows less income than I earn. Can I qualify?
Yes. Bank statement programs use 12 or 24 months of personal or business deposits to calculate qualifying income — bypassing tax return income entirely. This is one of our most commonly used programs for Lafayette buyers who are business owners or partners.
📞 Call or Text: (800) 239-1103 | Text: (310) 849-9124
Michael DiVita — DRE #01372066 | NMLS #241655 | Company DRE #01818285 | NMLS #323700
